Aeroplane kite



July 1 1924.

A. FELARDO AEROPLANE KITE Original Filed Jan. 25, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet l llllllllllllrl INVENToR ATTORN E WITN ESS:

1,590,064 A. FELARDO AEROPLANE KITE July i', E924.,

Original Filed Jan. 25, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet' 2 ATTO R NAEY WITNESS:

July l 1924. 41,500,064

A. FELARDO l AEROPLANE KI TE Original Filed Jan. 25; 1922 M 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Patented duly 1, 1924.

,3.1; STTES ALFRED EEIPARDO, 0F NEW YORK,'N. Y.

A EROPLANE KITIE..

4 AApplicationfiled January v26, 19,22,v Serial No. 531,918. Renewed December 14, 1923. i

T0 @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be itr known that I, K'ALrnnoFnLanDo, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at NewYork city, in the county of New AYork and State o-f llew York, have invented new and useful Improvements in JAreroplane Kites, of: which thel following is a specification.

',This invention relates to amusementdevices, particularly to kites, and has, for its object theprovision of a novelkite formed to represent an aero-plane and so ,lconstructed as tobeiiown in the air Aat lighewend of a string, ythe current o-fair acting against the different supporting rsurfaces of the kite and ,consequently exerting an upward pressure whichwill cause vthe device to remain in ,the air and simulate the action of an aero-plane.

.An important ,object is the rprovisionrof a device of this, character in vwhich all the various component parts are detachably connected ,so thatthe device may be shipped in knocked down formand beV subsequently assembled bythe purchaser, the assembling feature adding to the interest and instructiveness of the device.

Another object is the,y provision of a kite of this character in which certain of the parts are adjustablyv connected whereby to mounted and which may have its positionv varied as will be found most advantageous in use.

An additional object is the provision of a kite of this character which will becomparatively simple and inexpensive in manufacture, efficient and entertaining in use, more or less instructive, `durable in service and a general improvement in the art.

i lith the above and other objects and Ladvantages in view,theinvention consists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illus-Vv trated in the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a plan viewfof my novel aeroplane kite.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a frontelevation.

F igurel 4 is a detail cross-sectional vien showing the mounting of the landinggear.

Figure 5 is a detail side elevation illustrating the mounting of the auxiliary plane.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view showing the connection of certain elements.

VFigure 7 isv adetail sectional view illustrating the pivotal Ymoiointingy ofjthe body plane. i

Referring more particularly to the drawings'the miniera-1.10 designates/broadly the body plane of thedevicelwhich is of peculiar shape as shown but which is-,flat This body plane consists of longitudinally extending side strips 11, a central longitudinal strip 12, transverse stripsgl andy diagonali brace stripsvli. The forward portion of this body plane `will hereinafter Ybev designated as the head while the rear portionwwill bendesignated the tail. AThe side ,strips 11 con stituting this body frame or plane` member cross each otherr at Va point somewhat vspaced from their rearl extremities to define the resemblance ofan elevator designatedby the numeral 15.V VThis frame work Ais ofcourse covered with suitable fabric indicated at 16 so as to provide a supporting surface.

i Secured upon the rear end of. the central strip 12 are upstanding socket members 17 within which is detachably engaged an upwardly extending plate or vane 18which represents a rubber and which is held in position by :means of suitable cotter pins 19 passing therethrough and through they socket members 17. i

Y The numerals 2O and .21, designa-te the upper and lower plane, the former of which is disposed abovey the body member 10 and the latter of which is disposed ybelow it and it will lbe observed thatthe ypri-iferred arrangement is thatthe upperplane 2O be in advance of the lower plate or Vpla-ne 21 as indicated. Both yof these planes are similar in construction andeach includes ak rectangular` frame l22 covered kwith suitable fabric 23. Secured upony the underside of the upper plane 20 andupon the upper side of `the lower plane 21 is a .plurality of socket members 24 which are .illustrated as ico being constructed of sheet metal stamped out and bent to shape as shown, each socket member including a socket proper 25 and an apertured ear 26. The upper and lower planes 20 and 21 are connected by means of a plurality of uprights 27 which have their ends engaged within the socket portions 25 of the members 24 on both the planes 2O and 21. The apertured ears 26 associated with both planes 2O and 21 are connected by a plurality of intersecting guys 28 which provide ample reinforcements. If desired these reinforcing guys might be omitted and if they are used it is readily apparent that the specific arrangement may be such as found most advisable in use for maximum strength. The two innermost pairs of uprights 27 are connected by cross-bars 29 with which the body member 10 is pivotally connected by means of pins 3() which are driven through the cross-bars 29 and into the side members 11 of the body member.

Hingedly mounted at 31 upon the rear edge of the upper plane 2O is an auxiliary plane 32 which is adjustable and which carries a pair of segmental arms 33 formed throughout theirl length with a plurality of perforations 34 through any suitable'one of which may be passed locking pins 35 which are carried by bracket members 36 secured to the rearmost uprights 274 as clearly shown. By removing the pins 35 it will be seen that the auxiliary plane 32 may be swung to any desired position and may be held in such position be reinserting the pins 35through the proper ones of the perforations 34.

Mounted at the rear edge of the lower plane 21 are brackets 38 which terminate in rearwardly extending ears 39 with which are detachably pivotally connected, as by means of the cottork pins 40, rearwardly extending bars 41 which have their rear ends carrying guide brackets 42 through which are slidably engaged other bars 43 which have their rear ends pivotally connected at 44 with brackets 45 secured upon the underside of the body member 10. The forward ends of the bars 43 carry brackets 46 identical in construction with the brackets 42 and the brackets 42 and 46 are both provided with locking members 47 Lwhich might be set screws in actual practice and which engage against the associated bar members 41 or 43 for the purpose of locking the bars 41 and 43 in their telescopi-y cally yadjusted positions.

` Secured at the forward edge of the upper plane 20 are brackets 48 with which are pivotally connected, at 49, strips 50 which are formed throughout their length with a plu-.

ralityof perforations 51. Secured at the forward corners of the body member 10 are brackets 52 with which are pivotally connected, at 53 upwardly extending strips 54 which are likewise formed with a plurality of perforations 55. The strips 50 and 54 are designed to be placed in over-lapping relation as shown and to be connected by means of cotterpins 56 or the like which are passed through corresponding ones of the perforations 51 and 55. Owing to the fact that the body member 10 is pivotally mounted with respect to the uprights it will be seen that by adjusting the bars 41 and 43 lengthwise and correspondingly adjusting the strips 50 and 54 the angular position of the body member 10 with respect to the upper and lower planes and the uprights connecting the latter may be readily varied so as to adapt the kite for use regardless of whether there be only a gentle breeze blowing or whether there be a comparatively high wind.

In order that the device may be flown I provide a bridle member which consists of a flexible member, such as a string, cord or the like designated by the numeral 57 which has its ends connected with the brackets 52 as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. Connected with the forward end portion of the body member 10, as shown at 58, is a flexible member 59 which is knotted onto the intermediate portion of the flexible member 57 as shown at 60 and to which may be secured a string of any desired length whereby the kite may be flown.

It is of course not absolutely essential that any landing gear or running gear be provided though in actual practice and as a matter of fact I prefer to employ the runing gear or landing gear structure disclosed. In providing this mechanism, I make use of a plurality of sockets or socket members 61 which are secured upon the underside of the lower plane 21 below the innermost pairs of uprights 27 and t-hese socket members are similar and in fact identical in construction with the previously described socket members 24, that is they include socketportions proper 62 and apertured ears 63. Engaged within the sockets proper 62 are downwardly extending converging bars 64 which are arranged in pairs as shown and which have their lower ends detachably engaged within substantially V-shaped socket members 65 which are connected by a transverse rod 66 whichis in turn detachably engagedwithin sockets proper 67. The members 65 and 67 areformed upon triangular plates 68 which are formed with elongated slots 69 through which passes a shaft or axle 7 0 which carries the ground engaging wheels 71 which may or may not be provided with rubber tires as may be found advisable in actual practice. Mounted upon the transverse rod or bar 66 are sleeves 72 which are provided with apertured ears 73 with which are connected guys 7 4 which are in turn engaged with the apertured ears 63 of the bracket members 61 as shown. I also provide loop members 75 which are engaged about the portions 67 and also engaged about the shaft or axle 70 and the purpose of which is to hold the shaft or axle against Vaccidental displacement ordinarily. `As a matter of fact these loop members 7 5 may be formed as rubber bands which ordinarily hold the shaft or axle 7 O in a position at or near the lower ends of the slots 69 but which will permit upward movement of the shaft 7 0 when the ground engaging wheels 7l strike the ground whenthe device lands.

Assuming that the device has been constructed and assembled as above described, it will be apparent that in its operation it is flown in exactly the same manner as any othr ker kite. The bridle structure to which the flying string is connected is of course so arranged that the device will itself be so positioned in the air that all of the planes, that is the members 2O and 21 and the body member l0 will be at such an inclination that the current of air impinging there against will result in causing an upward movement of the device in a manner similar to the action of an aeroplane. The device may of course be set in Operation by pulling it rapidly along the ground until it attains sufficient momentum to cause it to rise in a manner similar to the rising of an aeroplane though of course if preferred the device might be started by letting it loose from the roof of a building or other elevated structure. When the device is subsequently brought down it is apparent that damage is not likely to occur owing to the provision of the shock absorbing means associated with the shaft or axle of the ground engaging wheels. Owing to the fact that the auxiliary plane may be adjusted by means of a segmental arm 33 and'also owing to the adjusting means for the body member 10 it will be apparent that the angular inclination of the body member 10 with respect to the upper and lower planes may be varied and also that the angular inclination of the auxiliary' plane may be varied so that the device may be caused to operate withthe greatest success regardless of whether the wind blowing be gentle or whether it be rather severe.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be readily apparent that I have thus provided a simply constructed and consequently inexpensive to-y aero-plane, which will be highly amusing and entertaining in use, which will be quite instructive as teaching the principles of aero-navigation, that is in regard to the effect of wind current against the inclined surfaces, the device beingfurthermore amusing and entertaining for the reason that all the parts thereof are capable! of being disassembled and subsequently set up any num-- ber of times, the knock down or disassembling feature havingalso the advantage of permitting the device to be shipped" and stored in a small space and without danger of injury to any of the parts during transportation.

,-While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is of course t0 be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention I claim;

l. A kite comp-rising a body plane having an enlarged `forward end and terminating at its rear end in the resemblance of a rudder and elevator', an upper and lower plane disposed aboveand below said body plane and arranged in over-lapping relation toeach other.

2. A kite comprising a body plane having a large forwardV portion tapering rearwardly and terminating at its rear end in an elevator and a rudder, a plurality of uprights arranged in pairs and connected with said body plane and ext-ending above ing a large forwardportion tapering rear- F wardly and terminating at its rear end in an elevator and a rudder, a plurality of uprights arranged in pairs and connected with said body plane and extending above and below the same, and upper and klower planes carried by the upper and lower ends of said uprights, the upper plane being arranged farther forwardly than the lowermost Vplane and all of said planes being arranged at an angle with respect to the nprights but in substantially parallel relation and an auxiliary plane extending downwardlyat an angle with respect to and adjustably connected with the rear edge of the uppermost plane.

5. A kite comprising a body plane having'a large forward Vportion tapering rearwardly and terminating at its rear end in an elevator and a rudder, a plurality of up-rights arranged in pairs and connected with said body plane and extending above and below the same, and upper and lower planes carried by the upper and lower ends of said uprights, the upper plane being arranged farther forwardly than the lowerllO' I members secured to the forward extremities of the body plane and a third flexible member secured centrally to the head portion, said bridle providing meansfor at-r tachment of a tether cord. f

6. A kite comprising a body plane having a large forward portion tapering rearwardly and terminating at its rear endV in an elevator and a rudder, a plurality of uprights arranged in pairs and connected with said body plane and extending above and below the same, and upper and lower planes carried by the upper and lower ends of said uprights, said upper and lower4 planes being dependably connectedk with the uprights and said body plane being likewise detachably connected with the uprights whereby said elements may be disassembled.

7. A kite comprising a. body plane having a large forward portion tapering rearwardly and terminating at its rear end in an elevator and a rudder, a plurality of uprights arranged in pairs and Connected with said body plane and extending above and below the same, and upper and lower planes carried by the upper and lower ends of said uprights, and an auxiliary plane hingedly mounted upon the rear edge of said upper plane and provided with adjusting means whereby the angular inclination may be varied. i

8. An aero-planekite comprising a body member formed as an elongated plane having an enlarged head portion, the rear end of said body member being formed to represent an elevator, an upstanding rudder detachably connected with said rear portion of the body member, upper and lower planes disposed above and below said body `member respectively, a plurality of uprights detachably connected with said upper andl lower planes, a removable pivotal mounting normally connecting the body member with said uprights, a bridle connected with the forward portion of said body member ,at the underside thereof.

9. An aero-plane kite comprising a body member formed as an elongated plane 'having an enlarged headportion, the rear end of said` body member being formed to represent an elevator, an u standing vrudder detachably connected wit said' rear portion of the body member, upper and lower planes disposed above and below said body member respectively, a plurality of uprights detachably connected with said upper and lower planes, a removable pivotal mounting normally Vconnecting the body member with said uprights, a bridle connected with the forward portion of said body member at the under side thereof, and an angularly adjust- 'resent an elevator, an upstanding rudder detachably connected with said rear portion of the body member, upper and lower planes disposed above and below said body member respectively, a plurality of uprights detachably connected 'with saidv upper and lower planes, a removable pivotal mounting normally connecting the body member with said uprights, a bridle connected with the forward portion of said body member at the underside thereof, and means connected with said body member at the forward and rear ends thereof for adjusting the angular position thereof with respect to said upper and lower planes.

1l. An aero-plane kite comprising a body member formed as an elongated plane having an enlarged head portion, the rear end of said body member being formed to reppresent an elevator, an upstanding rudder detacliably connecte-d with said rear portion of the body member, upper and lower planes disposed above and below said body member respectively, fa plurality of uprights detachably connected with saidA upper and lower planes, a removable pivotal mounting normally connecting the body member with said uprights, a bridle connected with the forward portion of said body member at the underside thereof, and means connected with said body member at the forward and rear ends thereof foradjusting` the angular position thereof with respect to said upper and lower planes, said means consisting of longitudinally adjustable memn bers connected with the forward extremity' of the body member and with the forward edge of the upper plane and longitudinally adjust-able members connected with the rear edge of the lower plane and with the rear portion of the body member. j

12. A device of the character described comprising an elongated body member having its rear end formed as the representation of an aero-plane elevator, an upstanding rudder member detachably connected with the rear end of said body member at the center thereof upper and lover planes arranged above and below said body member at the forward portion thereof, brackets carried by said upper and lower planes and formed with sockets, a plurality of uprights having their ends detachably engaged within said sockets, a detachable connection between said uprights and said body member, a flying bridle connected with the forward portion of said body member, and a landing gear mounted upon the underside of the lower plane, said landing gear consisting of pair of converging bars detachably mounted upon the underside of the lower plane, plate members detachably connected with said last named bars and formed with vertical slots, a transverse rod connecting said plate members, an axle passing through said slots and carrying ground engaging wheels, and flexible bands encircling said axle and said last named cross member and constituting shock absorbing means.

13. An aero-plane kite of the character described comprising an' elongated body member having its rear end formed as the. represent-ation of an aero-plane elevator, an upstanding rudder member detachably connected with the rear portion of said body member at the longitudinal axis thereof, upper and lower planes disposed above and below said body member, a plurality of uprights arranged in pairs and detachably connected with said upper and lower planes, a detachable pivotal connection between said uprights and the forward portion of said body member, longitudinally adjustable brace members pivotally connected with the forward and rear end portions of said body member and with the forward and rear edges of the upper and lower planes respectively, and a flying bridle connected with the underside of the forward portion of the body member.

14. An aero-plane kite of the character described comprising an elongated body member having its rear end formed as the representation of an aero-plane elevator, an upstanding rudder member detachably connected with the rear portion of said body member at the longitudinal axis thereof, upper and lower planes disposed above and below said body member, a plurality of uprights arranged in pairs and detachably connected with said upper and lower planes, a detachable pivotal connection between said uprights and the forward portion of said body7 member, longitudinally adjustable brace members pivotally con-` nected with the forward and rear end portions of said body member and with the forward and rear edges of the upper and lower planes respectively, and a flying bridle connected with the underside of the forward portion of the body member, and an auxiliary plane hinged upon the rear edge of said. upper plane and carrying a plurality of perforated segmental arms, and brackets mounted upon the rearmost uprights and with which said arms are slidably connected, said brackets being formed with holes designed to register selectively with said perforations, and locking pins detachably engaged through the holes in the brackets and through the selective ones of said perforations.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature.

ALFRED FELARDO. 

